Seaweed supplement diet for enhancing immune response in mammals and poultry

Abstract

Seaweed supplement is included in diet of mammals and poultry to enhance immune response. In one embodiment, pasture forage is treated with seaweed supplement. When cattle or lambs are grazed on seaweed supplement treated endophyte-infected forage, immune function is preserved or depressed immune function is reversed. The enhanced immune function continues to the feedlot finishing phase even though no seaweed supplement is fed in that phase. In an independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to pigs exposed to PRRS disease to impart resistance to said disease and improve performance. In still another independently inventive embodiment, seaweed supplement is administered to lactating mares prior to weaning to mitigate the stress of weaning.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of imparting resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome disease, denoted PRRS disease in pigs that have been exposed to PRRS disease, comprising administering a PRRS disease resistance imparting effective amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% by weight of diet of seaweed supplement from  Ascophyllum nodosum  to pigs that have been exposed PRRS disease. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the amount administered ranges from 0.2 to 5% by weight of diet. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the pigs are baby pigs entering or in the nursery phase. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the administering comprises feeding the pigs seaweed supplement during the entire nursery phase. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  where the administering is carried out by directly feeding seaweed supplement in admixture with diet. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the seaweed supplement is seaweed extract. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the seaweed supplement is seaweed meal. 
     
     
       8. A method of imparting resistance to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome disease, denoted PRRS disease, in pigs that have been exposed to PRRS disease, comprising administering a PRRS disease resistance imparting effective amount ranging from 0.5 to 5% by weight of diet of seaweed supplement from  Ascophyllum nodosum  to pigs that have been exposed to PRRS disease.